St. Lucia

Breaking the Silence: The Powerful Connection Between Breast and Cervical Cancer

This month, Cervivor is shining a spotlight on the critical link between breast and cervical cancer, by highlighting the importance of awareness, early detection, and collective action. Many individuals in our community have bravely faced both cancers or carry the gene that increases their risk. By sharing their inspiring stories, expert insights, and vital information, we aim to break the stigma surrounding these diseases and empower you to take control of your health – above or below the belt!

The Intersection of Breast and Cervical Cancer
Did you know that some individuals carrying the gene that increases breast cancer risk can still be diagnosed with cervical cancer? This surprising connection underscores the significance of regular screenings and open conversations. By understanding the importance and similar benefits of breast and cervical cancer screenings, we can harness the power of prevention and early detection.

Key Similarities in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

  1. Purpose: Screening and early detection help identify cancer or cancerous cells before symptoms appear.
  2. Benefits: Both improve survival rates, lower healthcare costs, and reduce the need for more extensive treatments.
  3. Effectiveness: Regular mammograms find breast cancer early, while cervical cancer screenings can prevent or detect cancer at an early stage.

The Power of Awareness and Action
Awareness is not just the first step toward change—it’s the spark that ignites transformation. By educating ourselves and others, we can:

  1. Break the stigma surrounding breast and cervical cancer fostering open conversations that empower and heal.
  2. Encourage regular screenings for early detection giving ourselves and our loved ones the best chance for successful treatment.
  3. Support research and advancements in cancer prevention paving the way for a healthier future for all.

But awareness goes beyond statistics and medical facts; it’s about the power of storytelling. Sharing our stories reminds us that we are not alone—it connects us, inspires us, and strengthens our community. Stories have the power to heal, to motivate, and to bring hope to those who need it most.

In the spirit of unity and empowerment, we’re honored to share the journeys of Kadiana and Karen, two Cervivor Ambassadors who were directly impacted by cervical and breast cancer:

Meet Kadiana, Cervivor Ambassador

Meet Kadiana, Cervivor Ambassador from St. Lucia, who faced a cervical cancer diagnosis at 37 while visiting her sister. Diagnosed with Stage III squamous cell carcinoma, she endured through 32 rounds of external radiation, 6 rounds of brachytherapy, and 6 sessions of chemotherapy. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, leading to preventative surgery, including a double mastectomy. Despite the trials, Kadiana continues to spread awareness of HPV, HPV vaccine, cervical cancer screening, and genetic testing. Read more about Kadiana here.

Meet Karen, Cervivor Ambassador

Karen’s journey is a testament to resilience and advocacy. After being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, she received a cervical cancer diagnosis just 18 months later. Despite facing immense challenges, Karen has become a proud Cervivor Ambassador, spreading awareness about HPV prevention and cervical cancer. Read Karen’s inspiring story on the blog.

Take Action Today
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) is a crucial initiative by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aimed at providing life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings to underserved women. Since its inception in 1991, the program has screened over 5.6 million women, detecting more than 57,000 cases of breast cancer and 12,000 cases of cervical cancer. The NBCCEDP provides free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests to eligible women who lack health insurance or cannot afford screening services.

The program operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several US territories, partnering with local health organizations to deliver these vital services. By targeting women who are most vulnerable to delayed or foregone care, the NBCCEDP helps bridge the gap in cancer screening disparities, reducing mortality rates and improving health outcomes for thousands of women each year. To learn more about eligibility and program locations, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cervical-cancer-screening/.  

Here are some tips on how you can help us increase screening rates:

  1. Schedule your preventative screenings now, and encourage your friends to do the same.
  2. Share Kadiana’s video, and Karen’s story with someone and encourage them to share as well.
  3. Explore our featured Cervivor store items or donate to support our mission.
  4. Join upcoming events to connect with others and stay informed.

Together, We Can Make a Difference
By acknowledging the screening similarities  between breast and cervical cancer, we can:

  1. Save lives through early detection.
  2. Break the stigma surrounding these diseases.
  3. Empower future generations with knowledge and awareness.

This is more than a movement—it’s a collective mission. Share your story, your story has the power to inspire. Help us spread awareness, and work together to eliminate cervical cancer. Together, our collective strength is unstoppable. 

The Ladies in the White Shirts

Cervivor is committed to making a difference by working to close disparity gaps that continue to plague Communities of Color. This commitment led Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, and Cervivor’s Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Williams to unite community members this past weekend from around the world—Honduras, St. Lucia, and U.S. states like Texas, Maryland, California, Alabama, New York, North Carolina, Iowa, and more—to Cleveland, Ohio, for the Cervical Cancer Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color. This retreat wasn’t just a local event; it was a global movement. We had community members participating via Zoom from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Africa, emphasizing our commitment to advocating for change worldwide.

Empowering Knowledge
Renowned experts from the Cleveland Clinic and Langston Hughes shared their insights on cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and advocacy. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the importance of:

  • Routine screenings and HPV vaccination.
  • The need for cultural competency in healthcare.
  • Ways for them to engage in community outreach and education.

After an expert-led panel, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Williams recapped the powerful message, “An educated patient takes action.”

(From Left to Right: Dr. Goje, Dr. Beffa, Dr. Amarnath, Dr. Sutherland of the Cleveland Clinic, and Kimberly Williams, Chief DEI Officer, Cervivor, Inc.).
(Ms. Chantel Wilcox of Langston Hughes shared the mission-driven work in the community).

Participants also had the opportunity to discuss self-collection cervical cancer screening and participated in discussions that answered questions about self-collection and its importance in eliminating cervical cancer. This discussion aided the advocates in understanding and promoting self-collection as a viable option for early detection when they return to their communities.

A special session with Dr. Leeya Pinder, who practices both in the United States and Africa, provided a global perspective on the issue of access (not just screening and treatment, but also clinical trials). Dr. Pinder explained the dire need for advocacy to end the disease, highlighting that many individuals with a cervix in these countries lack access to essential screening materials, leading to detrimental results. Her insights allowed participants to see the full circle of need in cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

(Cassie Ricci, Roche Diagnostics, discusses the latest for self-collection).
(Dr. Leeya Pinder pays acknowledgment to Mrs. Henrietta Lacks during an impactful session).

Turning Knowledge into Action
On Saturday, Cervivor launched Cervivor Cares, which is our initiative to raise awareness about cervical cancer in communities through education, volunteering, and active presence. We engaged in community outreach, raised funds, and supported the mission to eliminate cervical cancer by providing essential resources and promoting access to necessary screening and treatment for all. 

What better way to launch Cervivor Cares, than a Cervivor in Action day after a full day of classroom training? That’s right, our retreat participants increased their advocacy footprint by putting their knowledge into action. They volunteered their time at a clinic hosted by Medworks and the Cleveland Clinic that provided preventative screenings to the underserved community of Cleveland, Ohio. 

(Cervivor Español and Latinx Attendees).
(Dr. Mary Sia Uy-Kroh, MedWorks Board Member, sharing how Cervivor was making a world of impact).

It was not only an opportunity for preventive screenings, it was an opportunity for our participants to bring education and empowerment to all those who attended and were touched by our volunteers. Without hesitation, our retreat participants assisted by sharing their stories and expressing the importance of our mission. Our Cervivor Español, attendees translated to and for patients in every facet including the exam room so patients understood the physician’s questions and requests. This group put the information they learned into action immediately. Our participants met people where they were, in their daily routines —urging them to schedule their cervical cancer screenings, attend follow-ups, and the importance of HPV vaccination. 

As they shared their stories and stressed the importance of cervical cancer screenings and HPV Vaccination, the clinic was buzzing with excitement. Patients and staff alike began referring to them as “The Ladies in the White Shirts,” urging others, “You need to go talk to the ladies in the white shirts.”  These Cervivors were educating patients before they even walked through the door, helping them understand that regardless of their past, getting screened and following up on any abnormalities now is crucial. The retreat participants’ presence underscored the importance of the Cervivor mission and served as a reminder that their story mattered, and was already making a difference.

Embracing the Spirit of the Ladies in the White Shirts
As we reflect on this transformative event, we celebrate the spirit of “The Ladies in the White Shirts”—the Cervivor community. Each of you embodies this spirit by wearing your shirt, sharing your story, and advocating for screening. Your dedication makes you a vital part of the movement to end cervical cancer. In the words of Gwendolyn Jackson, “You have prepared me to go out into my community.” If you don’t feel prepared, we have programs available for you!

Lindsay Gullatte-Lee (Mentor) and Gwendolyn Jackson (Attendee) in their white Cervivor Cares tees.
(A snapshot of programming Cervivor offers).

We encourage everyone to grab your Cervivor Spark, use the hashtags #Screen4Me and #Cervivor, and continue advocating for cervical cancer screenings. By sharing your story and spreading awareness, you become a powerful advocate, helping others access the screenings they need and contributing to a future free from cervical cancer. Together, as a community working to eradicate cervical cancer, let’s continue to make our voices heard, drive change, and support each other in this crucial mission.

Cervivor would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to our sponsors, including Pfizer, Genmab, Roche, and The Marchetta Family (Vince, Amanda, & William in honor of their late wife and mother, Betsy), as well as our in-kind donors, La Roche-Posay, Kafela, Lepley & Co., and Kesh the Creative, for their generous support and contributions to our mission.